Nourishing Mama Mission Two ~

Yes, it may be a bit cliché yet an "attitude of gratitude" really serves me. When I am grateful for what I have, transformation in how I feel and in my thoughts is immediate. Pretty quickly those bits of thankful feelings spread into all areas of my life and I find myself happier!

This second week of the Nourishing Mama Mission is simply to be grateful especially first thing in the morning upon waking. Have you ever played with this?

How do you start your day? Those moments when you first awake are special. They set the tone for your day. The past few months have found me waking in the morning stressed. I would wake up with a to-do list running through my mind and guilt over what I didn't get to the day before. Top that all off with a good dose of mommy-guilty and I was a mess by the time I got out of bed. Recently I realized that I was using this worry and guilt to motivate myself into action. I couldn't believe how silly I was being when the realization hit! So the past few days when I wake I strive to instantly start thinking about all the abundance and love in my life. After all I have a home and a wonderful family that loves me. Letting myself really feel the beauty of all I have, I get out of bed happy and ready for a new day ripe with another chance to experience, learn and grow. This is a habit I want to cultivate so that it becomes effortless.

So, how do you start each precious day? Is it with grumbling thinking about all the stuff you have to get done? Or do you embrace the moment and give a bit of thanks for another day? A bit of gratitude first thing in the morning is a powerful act.

Gratitude anytime is powerful...

This morning as I cracked eggs into a pan ready with dark green steamed spinach, I was preoccupied with what to make for the kids lunches; whether it was time to wake up my daughter yet; and did I have time to unload the dishwasher? The typical morning rush... As the shells cracked revealing deep yellow yolks I realized (and deeply felt) that I have healthy food to cook for my family. Almost instantly I felt a wash of gratefulness for all that went into bringing us the beautiful food we have: the Earth and Sun working together, farmers and grocers, the money we have to buy the food and on it goes. Next I found myself looking into the fridge and instead of seeing that I need to clean out and organize everything, I saw more abundance. It was simple. And, it was something that I tend to take for granted. We all have something in our lives to be grateful for even it is something very simple and small.

Special Moments Of Gratitude...

Here are some moments during the day that I experience gratitude, if I am open and paying attention. These are moments I can later call to mind when waking in the morning that fill me up and get me started on a path of beauty for the day.

Feeling love for my husband and daughters, letting it fill me up!
Looking into the eyes of another human being and seeing the spirit within.
Taking a deep breath and feeling life-giving oxygen absorbing into my blood refreshing every part of my body instantly.
Holding hands with a precious child, warm tiny fingers intertwined with mine
Having someone really listen and hear what I am saying and being able to really listen to another.
Seeing the miraculous beauty in nature, even if it is just a blade of grass, a lovely flower or cloud in the sky.
Appreciating my body and the health I have within me.
The simple wonder of Being Here Manifest.

Of course there are so many ways to be grateful and experience the abundance that is all around us. Join me for the next two weeks and cultivate the amazing skill of waking with gratitude!

Blessings and Love!